Who is/has going/gone for F & W Festival and the Halloween Party

[PaulaSue]

Any tips for a newbie for next year?

How many days did you get tixs for the Halloween party and How many days did you go to the F & W festival?

Any special things not to miss for a newbie for that and that time of year?

How much weight did you gain? J/K

 

[themudd4]

MNSSHP...I was there the 18th! We had a great time! My main tip on this would be to avoid Halloween night. It sells out and it gets CROWDED!!!
Make sure you see the parade and Hallowshes! Eat dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern (the chacters are in halloween costumes) early so you don't miss any of the party. Dress up....even the adults! We only go one night as there are 4 of us and that runs us roughly $200 for the party.
F&W...I was there this past Friday. We had a great time. Spent a fortune so be prepared for that. Most items were between $3.50-$6 each I believe...but keep in mind these are sample sizes. 2 Aussie shrimp ran us right at $5. If you are planing on being on the DDP save your snack credits for this. About 1/2 items were a single snack credit on the DDP.
Hope that helps but if you want anymore details...just ask!

 

[Sandy321]

I've gone the last 3 years to Food and Wine fest -

Keep in mind weekends are super crowded!! but managble - its all part of the Festival atmosphere - early Oct (it actually starts the last weekend in Sept) can be very hot - and humid... Read the Dis often as someone always posts when Disney is going to offer the events that cost - some of them are worth it - it now depends on if they are going to raise the price again... imho... I've always loved the Party for the Senses, but at $135 each, maybe not so much anymore... but maybe a wine pairing... (I think $65 - $100 has been posted) allearsnet.com also has some reviews of the F&W

Mickey's not so scarry gets different opinions as well - for me its crowded, many people post that its the party you are going to, you will see characters (villians) you may not see any other time - and there are characters that dance to music areas - and they give out this penny type candy - but the parade is unique, and the Fireworks are special... is that worth $30+ per person?? Its totally up to you... read the posts, read trip reports - see pictures...

I'm glad I went once... this year we just planned to be at MK on a MNSSHP night, and the park was empty - until around 4 it started to get crowded fast... we had 6pm ressies at Crystal Palace, so we dressed up, got our pic taken in costume, then we left the park - a CM did escort us out - (you must have a wristband to stay and enjoy the festivities after 7pm)

 

[PaulaSue]

Thank you! We are just in the planning stages right now. I am sure the more I learn the more questions I will have.

We want to go before my oldest turns 10 (mid nov 08) and I thought F & W is the time to go. (we will be traveling with both sets of GPs, ages late 50s to early 70s)

A friend who goes often said we should go 2 weeks before and hit the halloween party, the girls would love it. This will most likely be the last time we will be able to travel with both of our fathers (health wise) and we really want to make it a Great Family Memory for Everyone!

2 weeks earlier sounds good but throws off my planning time a little with a 2 BIG events we don't want to miss and none of us have been. (Last time we went I had no clue about pick a pearl in Japan and was upset I didn't learn everything I should have. A girl can't have too much jewerly and it will made a great first for my girls.)

 

[Sandy321]

Well, keep in mind you cant do everything, you must plan time to stop and smell the roses!! Overplanning does indeed cause too much stress for the planner!!

Pick a pearl, dd 11 is hooked!! she picked a pearl in Japan, but found out that the DTD locations had more choices for settings - she became overwhelmed, and just kept the pearl, this year she went back, picked a pearl and setting...

We went with my parents, I had a huge vision for MNSSHP - and it was too overblown with expectations - my parents left before Hallowishes - yet, it is still my mom's best WDW memories - as is my dad (I signed him up for Richard Petty's Driving experience, talk about 7th heavens!!)

Food and Wine its the food booths - its different, it draws people in, but with the kids, dd just loves the kid stations, getting her passport stamped - she also enjoys the "Conga" juice in Mexico - but lots of the outside booths, have the same offerings inside - for instance for Italy, Champagne, Rosa Regale, its a simple, sweet, berry tasting champagne, very talked about on the Dis for good reason, but you can go inside Italy and get a glass, with a free chocolate!!

Just take in the sites, but dont forget to take time to appreciate each other too!!!

Have fun planning, and I still recommend reading trip reports!!

 

[kaylajr]

We Did both in 2004
and had a wonderful time